17 October 2025

PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS

I would like to start this newsletter by acknowledging the loss felt across our community and our schools through some recent tragic events over these past few weeks. I offer our collective thoughts and condolences to the families and friends that have lost loved ones.

Start of term messages

During our first full school parade of the term, we took the time to acknowledge the outstanding students we have at Gladstone State High School. Most of our students attend school every day and consistently demonstrate fantastic behaviour. We have established clear expectations throughout the school, and for the most part, our students meet them.

At this parade, we also took the opportunity to reinforce several key expectations, including:

• Appropriate use of mobile phones
• Following staff instructions promptly
• Using respectful language and behaviour towards peers and staff
• Being punctual for school and classes
• Giving their best effort in every lesson
• Maintaining calmness and courtesy in their actions around the school
• Taking pride in the choices they make each day.

While we continue to see improvements in the behaviour choices of our students, there is still work to be done to ensure these standards become an integral part of the everyday culture here at Gladstone High.

Gladstone State High School “Star Gala”

Lights, cameras, glamour, and extraordinary talent filled the air at our Star Gala! Our students and staff truly amazed the audience throughout the evening. The showcase of talent was outstanding, featuring dance, music, singing, and drama performances—all beautifully complemented by stunning visual art projections behind the performers. It’s no surprise that our Arts/Drama department is one of the best in the region; our dedicated staff inspire our students to achieve excellence.

A huge thank you to all the students and staff who contributed to this incredible event. Special thanks go to Miss Shannon Whitby and her team for organizing such a memorable experience (there are so many involved, it’s impossible to name everyone individually). As always, the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre provided an excellent venue for the Star Gala.

Year 12 Formal

Absolutely spectacular! Our Year 12 students truly shone throughout the evening. What a memorable night it was. They dressed impeccably, carried themselves with great maturity, danced, laughed, and shared genuine moments together — they were simply outstanding. We couldn’t be prouder of our soon-to-be graduating class. A big thank you to Ms Taylor, Ms Henderson and the Year 11 Formal team for their excellent organisation of this fantastic event.

School Opinion Survey

In coming weeks, we will unpack some of the findings of the recent School Opinion Surveys. We have seen noteworthy improvement in most areas from the feedback of our students, parents and staff. This really is great to see however there is still more work to be done to continue the improvements at Gladstone High. We look forward to working through the results and developing appropriate actions moving forward.

Relay for Life

“Relay For Life is a global movement that unites communities to celebrate cancer survivors, honour those we’ve lost, and stand together in the fight against cancer. It is a meaningful and inspiring overnight event that raises essential funds for the Cancer Council’s research, prevention, and support services.”

In 2025, the event was once again a tremendous success, with strong participation from students and staff at Gladstone High, Gladstone Central State School, and Gladstone West State School. Raising funds and awareness for this vital cause has become a cherished tradition on our school calendar. I would like to acknowledge the leadership of Ms Josh and the dedicated team of staff and students whose efforts made this event so remarkable.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

Focus - Take ownership of my behaviours and how it affects others.

Year 12 Assessment

With our year 12 students approaching their final pieces of assessment, we wish them all the best. We are proud of our students, and we are confident that they will do all that they can to finish these final assessment pieces strong!

Readiness for success at school – some reminders

At our recent school parade, Mr Hooley reminded our students of a range of important elements that are needed for children to do well at school. One of the crucial components was in relation to students accessing the right amount of sleep. For adolescents, our teenagers, a minimum of 8 - 10 hours if required. This level of sleep helps refuel both the body and the brain.

Good sleep enhances:

• Analytical and creative thinking
• Physical health
• Attention and memory
• Mental and health and mood
• Decision making

Date claimer:  Tuesday 18th November for Awards Night

Mr Garry Goltz
Principal
Gladstone State High School

COGSY GEAR SHIFT

The Gear Shift program is a 10-week initiative designed to re-engage disengaged students through practical learning experiences, mentorship, and exposure to tertiary education environments. The program focuses on fostering confidence, resilience, and accountability while guiding students toward nationally recognised certifications and future education or employment pathways.

By leveraging professional environments like CQUniversity facilities, industry tours, operating businesses, and registered training organisations, Gear Shift reduces barriers to education for students who might not see further education as attainable. The program bridges the gap between schools, tertiary education providers, and employment pathways, creating a seamless transition for students into vocational education & training, higher education, and employment.

Week 1 Recap:
The boys successfully completed their White Card Course with Narbil Training – big thanks to the team at Narbil for delivering an engaging and informative experience.

Week 2 Focus: Safe Work Methods & Scaffolding
This week began with key safety inductions, where students were introduced to:

• Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
• Establishing safe work zones
• “Fit for Work” principles
• Recognising and managing heat stress

From there, the boys moved into practical scaffolding sessions with their supervisors.

ARTS NEWS

SHEP Capricornia and Rockhampton

Congratulations to following students for your successful selection to the State Honours Ensemble Programs this year:

SHEP Capricornia Wind Ensemble: Elly F, Blake T, William M and Mia D

SHEP Rockhampton Wind Ensemble: Tristan B, Hartley E, Stella J, Lilli P, Tamsin R

SHEP Rockhampton String Ensemble: Isabella F, Skyler K, Eva O, Danielle R, Kavitharani V and Mengni Z.

What a marvellous opportunity for these students to work with renowned conductors and to workshop and perform with other students excelling in Instrumental Music in Central Queensland.

Creative Generation: State Schools On Stage

Congratulations to Isobelle D on your wonderful performance as a Featured Vocalist and members of the Musical Theatre Cast for Creative Generations: State Schools on Stage 2025! 

In a cast of over 1500 students from state schools across Queensland only a very small group of performers successfully auditioned to perform as part of this lead and featured cast.  GSHS is so proud of your achievements – 3 years in a row!

We also celebrate Gladstone SHS Dance and Drama teacher Miss Shannon Whitby who was selected to be a lead member of the Teacher Stage Crew for CGen 2025 – congratulations!

Queensland Symphony Orchestra Prodigy Project Newsletter

Congratulations to William M on his selection as one of only a handful of instrumental music students in the Gladstone Region to learn and perform with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) in the 2025 QSO Side-by-Side Project.  The students selected, spent an afternoon with the QSO musicians in mentoring sessions and intensive rehearsal leading to a performance with the Orchestra at their Symphony Under the Stars as part of their public concert series. 

The Side-by-Side Project provides an important learning and performance experience for the students.  It allows students the opportunity to network with professional musicians and supports the Queensland Instrumental Music curriculum in providing opportunities for students to become musicians, developing their technical and expressive skills through making music.

Celebrating Success at the Gladstone Eisteddfod

Congratulations to all our Gladstone SHS students who competed as soloists or in ensembles in the Gladstone Eisteddfod Instrumental Music, Speech and Drama and Vocal sections and those who will participate in the upcoming Dance sections over the September holidays. We are proud of your performances and of your achievements – many of our individual students not only receiving places in their sections, but also achieving Individual Performance, Aggregate and Adjudicator Encouragement awards.  In particular, we celebrate our school ensembles:

• String Orchestra – 3^rd Place
• Stella Strings (Jnr Ensemble) – 1^st Place
• Ad Astra Strings (Snr Ensemble) – 2^nd Place
• Jazz Band – 2^nd Place
• Vocal Ensemble – Secondary Choir - 2^nd Place
• Rylee D, Sophie O, Akiesha C – String Trio – 1^st Place
• Skyler K, Mengni Z, Kavitharani V – String Trio – 1^st Place
• Blake T, Elly F, Isobelle D – Wind Trio – Highly Commended
• Matthew M, Thomas K, William M – Wind Trio - 2^nd Place

SHEP Queensland

Congratulations to Isobelle D on your selection to the State Honours Ensemble Program Queensland, held at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University over the September holidays.  Isobelle will be performing in the Jazz Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Kayleigh Pincott.

The State Honours Ensemble Program is an educational program for music students that helps extend and encourage their pursuit of musical excellence.  SHEP is a firmly established aspect of music learning in Queensland, bringing together young people from all over the State, in regional centres and Brisbane to share their passion for music making.

The Honours Program gives students the opportunity to:

• work in an intensive environment of musical excellence with their peers offering a unique opportunity to extend and develop their musical skills
• work with a team of eminent Conductors from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
• represent their school in a Finale Performance at the Conservatorium on the Sunday of the Program.

Thanks, as always, goes to our team of Instrumental Music and Music Teachers for the work they do in educating our students and preparing them for these performances and wonderful opportunities for personal growth.  We are looking forward to performing again with the rest of the Arts Department for the Gladstone SHS and wider community at the STAR Gala on Friday 17^th October (Term 4 Week 2) at the GECC and hope you can join us to revel in the talent of our arts students.

SENIOR SCHOOLING NEWS

SOCIAL WORKER NEWS

Tuning into Teens Term 4

You are invited to join a parenting program that aims to help you, and your adolescent manage the many emotional challenges of this stage of life.  The program will teach you how to manage your emotions and your adolescents to help you both to remain close and keep communication channels open.  By learning new skills, you are less likely to have as much conflict within your family and your teen is more likely to talk to you about the challenging issues they face.  These are factors that have been found to reduce the risk of mental health and substance abuse problems.

This group is also available to parents who have a young person transitioning to GSHS in 2026. 

POSITIONS VACANT

Tuckshop Volunteers

We are also on the lookout for volunteers to help in the tuckshop.   If you have some spare time to give, please email your information through along with a cover letter to Fee who is our tuckshop convenor at fmood2@eq.edu.au.  You will need to have a current Blue Card or be willing to apply for one before you start.

QPARENTS

NURSE PRACTITIONER NEWS

BREAKFAST CLUB

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Tuckshop only accepts preorders for 1^st and 2^nd break via the QKR app only.

UNIFORM SHOP

Uniform Shop Hours

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SWOOPING BIRD SEASON

Some native bird species, including magpies, plovers, butcherbirds, and crows, are well known to swoop during the spring breeding season. Swooping may occur from July to November, peaking between August and October. When native bird species have eggs or young in their nest, a small percentage can become protective and may swoop people entering their nesting territory. Research suggests aggressive swooping occurs when the birds have had previous negative interactions with humans, for example, had stones or sticks thrown at them, their chicks, or their nests.

Some ways to manage swooping bird interactions during the breeding season are to:

• Avoid swooping hotspots and find an alternative route by consulting the ‘Gladstone Regional Council Swooping bird hotspot web map’ (https://www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/wildlife) Or https://www.magpiealert.com/
• Ensure children wear appropriate headwear (helmets, hats, umbrellas), eyewear (glasses, sunglasses) and clothing to help protect them from unwanted swooping risks.  
• Ensure children avoid threatening or scaring nesting birds, as this will increase the intensity of swooping.
• For more information about swooping birds and tips to avoid being swooped, a ‘Living with Magpies’ fact sheet and an interactive swooping bird hotspot map, jump on Council’s website https://www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/wildlife#swooping.

Additionally, Council manages swooping birds by providing community awareness and information, undertaking swooping bird assessments, and implementing an appropriate response on Council-controlled land. If your establishment has a problem with a swooping bird, you may contact a licensed wildlife contractor to assess the bird for relocation. Please note that Council is unable to respond to swooping bird complaints on private or state-controlled land.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss this further, please contact the Environment & Conservation team on 07 4970 0700.

TERM 4 CALENDAR

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS